The country’s number one roller derby league, the Pirate City Rollers, are proud to host a charity match for Rainbow Youth during the Auckland Pride Festival, Saturday, February 15th.

The roller derby community has a long history of queer celebration and support, and the Pirate City Rollers are proud to team up with Pride to hold this game.

They’ll take on Vagine Regime Aotearoa, New Zealand’s team of elite LGBT skaters. Vagine Regime are make up of a stellar group of skaters from throughout the country, including Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin, and Palmerston North.

A portion of the proceeds for this match will go to Rainbow Youth, an Auckland-based organisation providing support, information, advocacy and education for queer and trans* young people (aged between 13 and 28), their friends and whānau, and those who work with queer and trans* youth..

After intensive try-outs in Christchurch, Wellington, and Auckland to join the Team New Zealand training squad for the 2014 Roller Derby World Cup, the line-up has finally been revealed!

Congratulations to the Pirate City Rollers skaters who made the cut: Terror Satana, Skate the Muss, Lady Trample, Coup D’eTalia, and Fia Fase Oe, who was also one of the side’s three selectors along with coach Pieces of Hate and fellow selector Zephyr.

The Pirate City Rollers are heading to the 2014 Great Southern Slam (TGSS)! It’s been called the world’s biggest roller derby event by Derby News Network, with 30 leagues from throughout New Zealand and Australia competing at the 2012 tournament in Adelaide.

The All Scars put on a good showing at the first ever TGSS in 2010, coming fourth out of 16 leagues. In 2012 the All Scars faced tough opponents in Northern Brisbane, Brisbane City, Wollongong and Sydney, and made it to the quarter finals before finishing in a respectable eighth place.

After international bouting experience against Hawaii, VRDL’s Queen Bees, and Northern Brisbane Rollers in 2013, and taking out the NZ Derby Royale national tournament undefeated in 2013, the All Scars are aiming high for the 2014 TGSS and can’t wait to fly over for the tournament!

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Auckland’s original roller derby league, the Pirate City Rollers, have convincingly become the #1 league in the country after winning the National Derby Royale final in a much-anticipated match-up against the Auckland Roller Derby League (ARDL).

The Pirate City Roller’s top twenty skaters, the All Scars, took on five leagues from throughout the country during Day 1 and Day 2 of the competition over the long weekend in Palmerston North. It was the first time the All Scars had competed in the tournament since its inception last year.

The All Scars dominated pool play against teams from Christchurch, Hamilton, and Taranaki, before taking on a Kawerau side in the quarter-finals and the tournament’s hosts, Palmerston North, in the semi-final.

Copyright: Rien Croonenborghs

The All Scars faced another league from Auckland, and the winner’s of last year’s competition, the Auckland Roller Derby League, in a high-intensity bout for the Derby Royale championship title.

The All Scars’ fluid team-work, skilled skating, and competitive drive meant they dominated the game in front of a highly vocal crowd at Arena Manawatu, winning 279-120.

The Pirate City Rollers now close out their 2013 season as the number one ranked league in the country.

SCORES FROM THE NATIONAL DERBY ROYALE

Sixteen leagues from Northland through to Dunedin competed at the Derby Royale in Palmerston North on 26th/27th October.

The Pirate City Rollers was founded in 2006 as one of the first roller derby leagues outside of North America.

The league recently made history as the first New Zealand side to become full members of the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA), the governing body of the sport. Full membership of the Association means the Pirate City Rollers are able to compete against, and be ranked amongst, the best roller leagues internationally.

Seven Pirate City Rollers’ skaters were selected to play for Team New Zealand at the 2011 Roller Derby World Cup, with the Coach and Assistant Coach for the team also coming from the league. The same Coach has been selected to train next year’s 2014 Team New Zealand, with try-outs expected to be held in Auckland in December.

The Freshmeat course is a 20-week roller derby beginners course that’s held twice-weekly at the Trusts Arena in Henderson. No previous skating skills required! The Freshmeat course is for anyone interested in learning the sport of roller derby or becoming a referee. You must be 18 years of age to join the course.

You will be placed with a group of other new skaters and taught the basics of roller-skating (how to roll, how to come to a stop, how to fall safely, etc) before moving on to the technicalities of the sport (like how to hit someone with your shoulder/hips safely, the rules of the game, etc). Our experienced coaches will teach you everything you need to know about the sport you will grow to love!

NOTE: During your Freshmeat Course, you cannot skate in games or in league practices/scrimmages. Roller derby can be a dangerous sport if it’s not played by confident skaters who know the rules and know how to play the game safely.

To keep up-to-date about when the next Freshmeat course will begin, go to Facebook and “like” our page: here.

WHAT HAPPENS AT THE END OF FRESHMEAT?

Skaters must complete, and pass, a roller-derby theory and practical skills test to graduate to becoming Full League Member that participates in bouts and scrimmages. Consider it like a try-out to get into the league!

Details about what’s included in the WFTDA (Women’s Flat Track Derby Association) Minimum Skill Requirements test are available here. The WFTDA Written Rules Test is available here. NOTE: Referees must undergo additional rules testing.

Once you’ve passed, that’s when the fun begins! You’ll be able to pick your roller derby name, you’ll be drafted onto a team, and you’ll be one step closer to living out your roller derby dreams!